WASHINGTON -- The city of Pinson is about to be free from U.S. Department of Jus­tice oversight of its city elec­tions, the first exemption from a key section of the Voting Rights Act granted to anyone in Alabama.

Pinson and the Justice Department agreed in writing to excuse the small Jefferson County city from Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act because it has no history of discrimina­tion against minority voters.

"In this case, the department carefully evaluated the infor­mation

provided by the city and conducted its own investi­gation, which has satisfied us that the city is eligible for a bailout," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "I ap­preciate the cooperation of city officials in providing the department with information that we have requested and in moving toward a resolution of this matter in the way envi­sioned by the Voting Rights Act."

Once approved by a federal court, the bailout would mean Pinson could conduct its city elections, annex property, move polling places or makeany voting-related changes without first getting permission from the Justice Department. That process has cost between $8,000 and $15,000 a year in legal fees, according to Pinson Mayor Hoyt Sanders.

Sanders said the city first started talking about applying for the "bailout" in 2010, after a U.S. Supreme Court decision that made it easier for local jurisdictions to get out from under the supervision of Section 5. Pinson didn't become a city until 2004, so city leaders felt like they had a good case to make about how they shouldn't be penalized for the state of Alabama's poor history when it comes to voter discrimination.

"We were guilty by association and guilty until proven innocent," Sanders said.

He said the review from the Justice Department was smooth, cordial and not antagonistic. Although the city's final legal bill for the process might be close to $40,000, Sanders said the bailout would save the city money in the long run because those annual compliance costs would end.

The Justice Department's review of Pinson's application included interviews with minority voters in Pinson, according to the written consent decree. The city's population is about 78 percent white, 17 percent black and 4 percent Hispanic.

No minority candidate has ever run for elected office in Pinson, according to the agreement, which also calls for a new citizens' advisory group to explore ways to increase opportunities for voter registration, have more diversity among poll workers and increase opportunities generally for political participation in Pinson's elections. "We're more than agreeable to do that," Sanders said.

Pinson's "bailout," as it is known, is significant because it is the first granted to any jurisdiction in Alabama. Since the law was passed in 1965, Alabama and all or part of 15 other states with a history of ballot box discrimination have had to prove to Washington that their voting procedures -- such as redistricting or changing the method of elections -- did not negatively affect minority voters.

Shelby County is leading a court challenge of the historic voting rights law, arguing that it is no longer necessary and is too much of a burden on local governments. Shelby County lost its case and the appeal is pending.

The Voting Rights Act allows cities and counties with a clean record to apply to the Justice Department for exemption from the law, many of which have been granted over the years.